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The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s annual “Classical Roots” event at Music Hall is more than just a concert. It is a community-wide endeavor that brings together churches, friends, families and neighbors from across Greater Cincinnati. “Classical Roots,” an annual, one-night-only concert program, specifically designed to celebrate African-American musical influences and heritages, began in 2001 with one church and has since grown to include participation from dozens of area churches. These church partners continue to be an integral part of the “Classical Roots” experience, doing everything from promoting the concert among members of the congregation, helping boost ticket sales, working with the choir and generally being a great support to the Orchestra to make this happen every year.

The Community Mass Choir brings together over 140 singers, representing over 30 area churches. The choir has been rehearsing for months with area music ministers. Performing on stage at Music Hall with the full Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is an unforgettable experience for these dedicated volunteer singers.

“It has just been so exciting to participate in the choir. It’s wonderful meeting and singing with church choir members from all over the city. And there is just an electricity when you get out on the Music Hall stage, especially with the full Orchestra performing,” said Iva Brown, a member of the choir, as well as the CSO board.

This year there are also a number of multigenerational family ties in the choir – aunts, mothers, daughters, husbands and wives – as well as a diverse age range with the youngest member just 13 years of age.

“It is actually a very exhilarating experience,” said Eric Oliver, one of the music ministers helping prepare the choir for performance. “It’s wonderful because you’ve got different people from different backgrounds and different churches, and it’s like a big, happy family,” he said.

The choir members also enjoy working with Conductor John Morris Russell. Though he now holds the title as the Conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, he formerly served as the CSO Associate Conductor, and it was during that time with the Orchestra that he was instrumental in starting Classical Roots.

“We are thrilled that JMR is back in Cincinnati. He brings such energy and enthusiasm to rehearsals and the performance. Folks don’t mind working hard for him,” said Ms. Brown.

“The experience starts with the conductor,” said Mr. Oliver. “What I noticed happen last year was that during the first rehearsal John Morris Russell attended, he took the time to explain some of the pieces they were working on; once the choir came to understand more about what they were singing about, it really lit up everything. There was an energy between the choir and the conductor that just spilled out into the audience, and people left talking about it,” he said.

Mr. Russell has also been integral in developing the program, this year centered around the theme “Unsung Heroes.”
“This year’s Classical Roots theme salutes African-Americans in uniform,” said Mr. Russell. “Right here in Cincinnati, where Black citizens volunteered to create the fortifications, such as Ft. Mitchell, that protected the city from Confederate troops wanting to invade. From the Buffalo Soldiers who served between the Civil War and the First World War, helping to settle the West, to the Doughboys who fought for freedom in Europe, who brought with them the music of jazz that blossomed in Paris between the wars. We even have the Tuskeegee Airmen throughout the Second World War whose unofficial anthem, ‘Swing Along,’ became one of the great hits of Will Marion Cook,” he said.

This one-night-only concert event featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Conductor John Morris Russell, world-famous jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis and the Community Mass Choir comprised of friends, families and neighbors, takes place this Friday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Music Hall. Audience members may arrive early to hear a pre-concert performance from the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra Nouveau Chamber Players at 6:45 p.m. Concert tickets are just $20 for adults and $8 for children. VIP tickets are also available, which includes a post-concert reception hosted by the CSO’s Multicultural Awareness Council featuring a visit from Branford Marsalis. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.cincinnatisymphony.org or call the CSO Box Office at (513) 381-3300.

This year, the Classical Roots Community Mass Choir boasts over 150 singers representing over 30 area churches. The Choir will perform on stage with the full Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for "Classical Roots" on March 15.